Cogs can think.

I’m currently reading the final part of the Thule trilogy I told you about earlier. It’s the first I actually ever read, a gift from my parents, a long time ago.

The reason the two societies in the trilogy don’t get along very well is mostly based on the fact that while Baden is governed “traditionally”, that is, by men; Thule is governed by women, and that has resulted in a society completely different from what we are used to.

This difference is best illustrated in the final book, when Elvira, a young Baden girl living in one of the Baden colonies in Thule, moves into enemy territory to find her father, only to found out he died because of supposedly friendly fire (killed by bullets - Thule doesn’t have bullets). This sets in motion a whole chain of events, which lead to her being seen as a negotiator (by the Thule women) between Baden and Thule. When one of the prime leaders of Thule, Thura, explains Elvira’s role to her, Elvira says:

The Supreme Governour will roll over the floor laughing. He’ll say: “Woman, don’t be ridiculous, get married, have six kids, that’s how you serve your country.”

My first daughter will be named Elvira, by the way, whenever I have kids (600 years from now).